Wellington Rugby U19 Coaching Line-up and Wider Training Squad for 2021
After a hiatus in 2020 due to Covid, Wellington Rugby are pleased to announce the coaching line-up and wider training squad for the Wellington U19s 2021 team.
Eugene Smith, a former Wellington Lions and Hawke's Bay player, will head the coaching team supported by ex Manu-Samoa and Lions player Dan Farani, and Trent Renata, an ex Maori All Black who has also represented the Highlanders and Chiefs Super Rugby franchises, as well as the Wellington Lions.
The Wellington U19 team provides local rugby players a pathway to higher honours and the season is about talent identification for the Hurricanes U20s team and NZ U20s programme.
Leo Crowley, Wellington Lions Head Coach said “the U19s environment gives both players and coaches an opportunity to learn and grow their skills. It’s a grooming ground for everyone involved, and it’s exciting to see, specifically, how the coaches take charge of their teams”.
A six-match schedule is in place for the Wellington U19s with pre-season challenges involving the Waikato U19s and a game of 3 halves involving Wellington, Canterbury and Tasman. Their competition matches see them take on the Hurricanes Heartland U20s, Hawkes Bay U19s, Manawatu U19s and Whanganui B. They will be playing to defend the Central Region Shield which they won, pre-Covid, in 2019.
Players will begin training next Monday 21st June, 6:30pm at Johnsonville RFC and the squad will be trimmed to 28 before the start of their campaign.
If players cannot attend trainings, please contact team manager Mike Parker on 027 526 7618.
Avalon
Charles Mataitai
Hutt Old Boys Marist
Jono Bailey, Jono Little, Sapati Tagoai, Nonu Tuia
Johnsonville
Mike Faimalo, Knox Tuinasau
Marist St Pats
Charlie Hankins, Milan Kriletich, Logan Love, Zack Paterson, Grady Walshe
Northern United
Jermaine Collins, Bradley Crichton
Old Boys University
Samson Koneferenisi, Treyah Kingi-Taukamo Jack Riley, Dominic Ropeti, Owen Wright
Oriental Rongotai
Jonty Bird, Sione Halalilo, Ronaldo Seumanufagai
Petone
TJ Clarke, Riley Higgins, Peter Lakai, Leyton Tapa
Poneke
Moses Galuvao
Tawa
Joyner Gaualofa, Jabez Peniata, John Samuelu, Western Sao, George Sim, Bill Tamani, Luke Walmsley
Wainuiomata
Zane Humphrey
Wellington
Rory Woods